BOSTON — The Coast Guard and Maine Marine Patrol responded to a runaway lobster boat in the vicinity of Owls Head State Park in Rockland, Maine, Friday.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England Command Center received a call from the Rockland, Maine based ferry Everett Libby. The Ferry’s operator reported seeing the fishing vessel Legacy driving in tight circles near Owls Head State Park. Upon further investigation, the ferry operator reported an unresponsive person lying on the deck of the vessel.

Search and rescue coordinators at the command center directed the launch of a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Rockland, a helicopter rescue team from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., in the area from a previous rescue, and asked the Maine Marine Patrol to assist.

With all assets on scene, the Maine Marine Patrol was able to come along side the Legacy and put an officer aboard to stop the vessel. A Coast Guard crew boarded the vessel and administered CPR to the unresponsive man. The boat crews transported him to an awaiting EMS crew on land, where he was pronounced dead.

“This incident posed an exceptionally challenging situation for rescue crews who accepted a high level of personal risk in order to render assistance,” Said Capt. Michael Baroody, the Sector Northern New England commander. “Although situations of this nature are relatively rare, they nonetheless highlight the dangers of the maritime environment, particular for those who choose to operate alone.”